Here's a little sewing room sneak peek. I'm putting some gorgeous fabric from Frances to work as I'm heavy into some sewing for sale these days in anticipation of the summer craft fair season.
This one is going to be tough to let go, though...
In the wee hours of the morning and late at night, I am still knitting up a storm. My guy needed a hat for spring training and I've had a hankering to make one of the Barley's for a long time.
I'm joining the Small Things readers today to share what I'm reading and knitting and it's a good thing because boy am I eager to talk about Junot Diaz's most recent novel. Have you heard of this guy? I hadn't read anything of his before, though I had meant to read The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao and never got to it.
Awhile ago, though, I caught this interview with Diaz and Kerri Miller. Now, I am one of those weirdos that has NPR kind of droning on endlessly in the background while I'm working, eating, cleaning - you name it. I do tend to shut it down when my kids are around because, well, it can be so totally violent and depressing. Anyway, when I caught Diaz talking about women, I sat right down and sobbed. His interview was funny and informative but really moving too. I had to get this book on my book club's list.
It did not dissapoint. And how could it with that title? The book was vivid and painful, impactful - what else can I say? Having been born and raised in Northern Minnesota, I'm not terribly familiar with Latin American culture so I was very curious about this book. I do have a veracious appetite for social history and although this is a work of fiction, I think you could argue that it addresses some very real life gender issues. Not to mention a story about immigrant experience in America that is so often glazed over.
I'd encourage you to give a listen to his interview - it's eye opening. The book took him 16 years to write, yet it's relatively short and well worth your attention in my opinion. I listened to the audiobook version and was thrilled to learn that Diaz, himself would be the one reading.
Please, tell me - what are you stitching on and reading?
